The Short Story

(
Abel Uribe, Chicago Tribune
/
December 6, 2011
)

Jason Carrazco, 21, college student, Chicago:

"I like being cool and cold," said Carrazco. Mission accomplished. This ensemble is fine, he said. "Until we get a blizzard. I might consider a sweater. Gloves? Maybe. I do wear a sweater sometimes," he said.

To the amazement of his parents and three sisters, he doesn't own a hat, boots or a parka and says he's fine even on the coldest subzero days. "I've got a poncho, Mexican hoodie thing." The earphones he's holding serve as his ear muffs.

Yes, his mom lectures him. "She says, 'You're not cold? It's freezing. You need a jacket.'" But he doesn't listen. As for his friends, "They always have a flabbergasted look on their face. They always ask me if I want a sweater or a jacket or something." He always says, "No thanks."